The main goal of this research is to explore whether there are any differences by gender regarding the Digital Competence of Teachers (DCT), both in-training and in-service. Simultaneously, the specific goals of the research are to analyse which are the methodologies, including technological, that are being implemented in university classrooms and to evaluate possible new interventions to reduce the digital gender gap. This study is exploratory and descriptive. It relies upon three instruments that have been validated by experts: a questionnaire to collect teachers’ in-training perception, a second questionnaire to show in-service teachers’ perception regarding their knowledge of technologies, and a rubric to analyse in-service teachers’ self-perception regarding methodologies that employ technology. Over three academic years, data were collected from a sample of 914 trainee teachers and 194 professors from several Spanish universities. The results show that, concerning the teaching task, compared to men, the female participants have a very poor self-perception in terms of their Digital Teaching Competence, as well as a lower predisposition towards technologies. We conclude by emphasising the need to transform teaching methodologies in initial teacher education by means of the correct inclusion of ICT tools.

This article not only presents a paradigm shift as a methodological model for teaching heritage and social sciences (SSCC), but also offers a methodological foundation for the challenge-based learning (CBL) methodology. We present various educational innovations in social science teaching and cultural heritage education based on the use of CBL during initial teacher training at the University of Andorra. These methodological proposals take into account the TPACK model (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) based on the interrelation of three types of knowledge: pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), technological content knowledge (TCK), and technological pedagogical knowledge (TPK). This set of best practices requires students to respond to a complex social challenge by designing and creating specific educational proposals for tackling content and learning through gamification. Students work on the various dimensions of the SSCC, thereby developing spatial competency, teaching competency, and competency in democratic citizenship. ICTs are included throughout in order to develop students’ digital competency. As a result, students feel empowered through having acquired the different competencies and developed an awareness of the value of cultural heritage as a cornerstone of democratic citizenship.

Editorial del monográfico N. 30

New learning scenarios for the 21st century related to Education, Culture and Technology

This experiment of innovative university education shows the interdisciplinary work carried out in the studies of the Bachelor of Science in Education at the University of Andorra. The study was developed within two subjects: Communication Technology (TAC) and Cultural Heritage Education in Andorra. The main objective of this experiment is to foster the use of technological resources and digital materials, with the aim of drawing cultural heritage closer to the classroom. Based on a previous study of documentation and an analysis of online educational materials, the students have to design an e-book, which is understood to be digital material in the curricular field of cultural heritage. This digital material is a didactic proposal that focuses on the construction of knowledge by primary school students. During the elaboration of the materials the instructors introduce follow-up activities. The results of the experiment show that, from an interdisciplinary approach, and a problem-solving, learning-centered methodology, specific and transferable abilities in initial teacher training can be studied and evaluated.

Los currículos escolares señalan como pieza clave en la enseñanza de la Geografía, el desarrollo y adquisición de la Competencia Espacial (CE). Junto a ella, la actual Sociedad de la Información y la Comunicación advierte de la necesidad de formar en Competencias Digitales (CD), de manera que se logre alcanzar una ciudadanía responsable y capaz del siglo XXI. El objetivo de esta investigación es analizar las posibilidades didácticas que ofrece la Tecnología de la Información Geográfica Google Earth^TM para desarrollar diferentes conceptos y procedimientos geográficos en el alumnado y en el profesorado en formación. La metodología implementada es mixta,y el modelo de enseñanza y aprendizaje utilizado es el Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK). Se analizan los dos instrumentos utilizados: las propuestas didácticas diseñadas y las respuestas a un cuestionario de escala Likert, a lo largo de dos cursos académicos. Algunos de los resultados evidencian que los participantes carecen de tanto de conocimientos relacionados con el paisaje geográfico como de CE, así como una deficiente formación en CD para llevar a cabo la tarea docente.